A Chinese student at a US music college has been charged with stalking a compatriot who was campaigning for democracy in the pair¡¯s homeland.

Xiaolei Wu, who attends Berklee College of Music in Boston, faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 (?203,000) if convicted, prosecutors said.

According to an affidavit lodged at a federal court in the city, the alleged victim posted a flyer on or near the Berklee campus on 22 October this year which said ¡°Stand with Chinese people¡±, ¡°We want freedom¡± and ¡°We want democracy¡±.

Wu is alleged to have posted messages to the victim via WeChat, email and Instagram saying, among other things: ¡°Post more, I will chop your bastard hands off.¡± He is also alleged to have told the victim that he had informed the public security agency in China about their actions and that the authorities would ¡°greet¡± their family. The charge sheet also claims that Wu sought to find out where the victim lived and publicly posted the victim¡¯s email address in the hope that others would abuse them online.

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Wu appeared in court on 14 December and was released afterwards. It was unclear whether he entered a plea. US media approached the Federal Public Defender Office in Massachusetts, which is representing Wu, for comment.

Berkelee said that Wu had been suspended. ¡°The described behaviour is troubling to Berklee,¡± the school said. ¡°We cannot, however, comment on ongoing law enforcement investigations.¡±

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US attorney Rachael Rollins said: ¡°We allege that Mr Wu¡¯s threatening and harassing behaviour was not free speech. Rather, it was an attempt to silence and intimidate the activist¡¯s expressed views dissenting of the PRC.¡±

chris.havergal@timeshighereducation.com